WO2015171045A1

WO2015171045A1 - Device for setting a cutting angle during mitre cutting

Info

Publication number: WO2015171045A1
Application number: PCT/SE2015/050457
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicolas Svensson
Original assignee: Inventiveforce Ab
Priority date: 2014-05-06
Filing date: 2015-04-23
Publication date: 2015-11-12
Also published as: SE1450535A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device 10 for obtaining a mitre angle, for setting a cutting angle when mitre cutting, comprising a lower central arm 11 and four upper arms 12, 13 which are rotary connected with said lower central arm 11, wherein the upper arms 12, 13 comprise two measurement arms 13 which are rotary connected in their respective one end to one end of said central arm 11, and two regulation arms 12 which are rotary connected in their respective one end with a point along the measurement arms 13, and wherein the other respective ends of said regulation arms 12 are connected flexible and slideable with a locking unit 18 which is slideable along a longitudinal axle of said central arm 11, wherein said measurement arms 13 are positioned above said central arm 11 and between said regulation arms 12 and wherein the device 10 is fully collapsible and then forms a straight unit, and wherein the locking unit 18 is a spring-loaded friction brake 62, controllable with one hand and which makes the arms 11, 12, 13 being regulated and locked.

Description

Device for setting a cutting angle during mitre cutting

The field of the invention

The present invention relates to a device for setting a cutting angle when mitre cutting.

Technical background

When mitre cutting or sawing of e.g. strip of woods or boards or planks which are met in an angle it may be difficult to exactly decide the angle intended to be cut on respective end so that the splice is perfect. To enable strip of woods or boards which are intended to meet in such an angle to get a nice and aesthetic appearance, the splice angle are cut in half, in the so called bisector, also called mitre angle.

For simple angles such as 45 degrees and 90 degrees there exists special mitre blocks with fixed steps to achieve half the angle, however for other arbitrary angles other tools are needed. There exist some tools for this on the market today. Some examples are described below.

In US797453 there is shown a classical solution having four arms placed in a parallelogram like pattern on a central arm intended to measure a mitre angle. The tool is possible to lock with a screw that locks the two regulation arms to the central arm.

A similar solution is shown in US742528 and herein the possibility of collapsing the tool so that it is easy to carry. In this document it is seen that one of its regulation arms is positioned in the same plane as its opposite measurement arm. Also this solution has a locking screw.

In other documents, such as SE516192, there is disclosed an alternative having two measurement arms being connected in one joint with a gear wheel which makes a guide washer to rotate with half the angle relatively to the two measurement arms. This solution is more complicated, is large and lumbering and is as such difficult to carry for a user.

Other documents describe means to obtain a mitre angle. In US6604294 there are seen four arms being coupled in a parallelogram to a central arm where it via the two front measurement arms obtains the bisector. The invention discloses a brake being applied by means of rotation of a lever and a visual scale showing the angle of the measurement arms in relation to each other.

In US4527341 there is also shown a classical construction with four arms coupled in a parallelogram being mounted on a central arm. The construction is provided with a longer arm to allow for measurement of angles on both the inside and outside.

Another classical solution is seen in US2866270. The central arm in this alternative is placed in the middle and the document discloses a measurement range of between 15 and 165 degrees. Moreover, there is also mentioned that the measurement arms may be extended with extra add-on arms.

In US2007022856 there is also shown a classical solution where both of the regulation arms have been extended so that these measure on the outside and where the two front arms measure on the inside. The central arm is possible to slide so that each end of the tool may constitute the measurement side depending on if one wants to measure on the inside or outside.

In US8015720 there is shown an alternative with bent reference arms which extends the measurement range for measuring of an outer angle and in US7373727 there is shown different types of scales.

In US6877238 there is disclosed a classical mitre tool, however where the front measurement arms may be extended with two extensions and which therefore may measure angles on the outside. In the document there can also be seen a coupling to a power-driven saw for mitre cutting.

In EP1967816 there is disclosed another type of a classical solution where one part of the parallelogram is disengaged so that it can be fastened in a power- driven saw for mitre cutting more simply. The alternative is complicated with several loose parts which may be lost and which shall be adapted to one another.

Moreover, in US925807 there is disclosed another classical mitre tool which is similar to the ones disclosed above.

Common for the above solutions is the fact that they are difficult to work with when used in places difficult to access as these require that the user uses both hands for the settings. A solution of obtaining a mitre angle which in an easy, versatile and safe way renders the user to obtain the wanted angles, even if these are in places difficult to access and the user only has the possibility to use one hand, and a tool that measures all angles and which enables an easy storage when not being used is thus of great use to the consumers.

Summary

The present invention relates to a device for obtaining a mitre angle, for setting a cutting angle when mitre cutting, comprising a lower central arm and four upper arms which are rotary connected with the lower central arm. The upper arms comprise two measurement arms which in turn are rotary connected in their respective one end to one end of said central arm, and two regulation arms which are rotary connected in their respective one end with a point somewhere along the measurement arms. The other ends of said regulation arms are connected flexible and slideable with a locking unit 18 which is slideable along a longitudinal axle of said central arm.

The two measurement arms are positioned above the central arm and between the lower and upper positioned regulation arms. The device is fully collapsible with all the arms positioned in the longitudinal axis of the central arm and then forms a straight unit. One advantage of the present invention is that when being in a collapsible state and forms a straight unit it is very easy to keep and carry, either in a tool box or in a pocket.

One advantage of the mutual placement of the arms, where the central arm is positioned lowest, is that when the tool is being used and an angle on e.g. the strip of woods or plank intended to be cut is marked, then the central arm constitutes an accessible and clear reference surface.

The device also enables both measuring arms being folded outwards on the same side of the longitudinal axle of the central arm. Moreover, the device has been arranged with a spring-loaded locking unit. One advantage thereof is the fact that the measurement arms may be locked in an angle regardless of both measurement arms are on the same side or on different sides of the longitudinal central arm axle. If both arms are on the same side the arms may be locked as a traditional set square in a desired angle.

One advantage of the spring-loaded locking unit being arranged on the device is the fact that the user may set the angles on the measurement arms with only one hand in an easy, versatile and safe way. This arrangement allows of setting angles in places which are very difficult to access with only one hand, where earlier constructions are in need of the use of two hands. The arrangement also allows for the use of only one hand without the need of an adjacent support, such as e.g. lying on a workbench.

The device may also comprise fastening means for a protractor for

measurement of the angle. One advantage thereof is the fact that the user quickly and easily may get a value of the measured angle and also with a high accuracy. One advantage with a protractor being detachable and attachable based on the need is the fact that it only is attached when there is need therefore. Moreover, the device may also comprise a numerical scale for linear measurement. One advantage thereof is that the device easily may be used to obtain a linear measurement.

The arrangement of the device may render a hollow space to be formed between the regulation arms when the device in a collapsible state. This hollow space enables the device to be equipped with e.g. a laser module. The laser will point 90 degrees towards the long side of the tool when the tool is in collapsed state. The application areas are several, such as e.g. measurement of the correct height of opposite walls, to hang up pictures, place electrical boxes etc. If the tool is hung as a pendulum and the laser is switched on simultaneously as the tool is being rotated, then a defined marked level 360 degrees around in a room is obtained. If one wants to position a lamp in the centre above a table then the laser may be used to find the position in the ceiling to then fasten the lamp. This is obtained by putting the tool of the present invention on the table with the laser pointing up towards the ceiling.

Short description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows one measurement tool according to the present invention. In this case the measurement arms are folded outwards on one side each of the central arm, and an acute angle is formed.

Fig. 2 shows a measurement tool according to the present invention in a fully collapsible state.

Fig.3 shows a measurement tool according to the present invention where the measurement arms are folded outwards on the same side of the central arm in a right angle. Fig. 4 shows a measurement tool according to the present invention where the measurement arms are folded outwards on one side each of the central arm and where they in this case form an acute angle turned inwards.

Fig.5 shows the same embodiment as shown in fig. 1 , however where a protractor is arranged on one of the measurement arms of the tool to enable measurement of angles.

Fig. 6 shows a cross sectional view of a spring-loaded locking unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a tool according to one embodiment of the present invention, in a collapsible state, with a laser module arranged to fit and being attached in the hollow space formed between the central arm and the regulation arms.

Detailed description of the invention

In its simplest form, the device 10 comprises of five connected arms, four joints and an adjustable locking unit. According to one specific embodiment, the device comprises a lower central arm 1 1 with four overlapping upper arms. These arms are in at least one point rotary connected with the central arm 1 1 . Above the central arm 1 1 there are two overlapping measurement arms 13. These

measurement arms are in turn rotary connected with the central arm 1 1 in joint 15 positioned in one end of the central arm and in one end of both measurement arms.

Above and below the measurement arms there are two arranged regulation arms 12. These regulation arms 12 are in their respective one ends rotary connected in joint 17 with the central arm 1 1 via a slideable locking unit 18. The locking unit 18 is arranged to be able to glide along the longitudinal axle of the central arm 1 1 in a groove 14. The locking unit 18 is provided as a spring-loaded friction brake which is possible to lock anywhere along the groove 14. For example, the user pushes on the elevated button 19 and as such also the spring 61 inside of the locking unit 18, and thus disengages the friction brake 62 on the bottom side of the groove 14. The locking unit 19, joint 17 and regulation arms 12 are thus free to slide along the groove 14 as long as the user holds down the button 19. When the user wants to lock the system, the button 19 is let go and the brake 62 then again locks the locking unit 18. This locking unit 18 allows the device 10 to be handled with only one hand as the user may hold the tool and regulate the locking unit 18, and thus the settings of the measurement arms, with one and the same hand. In the groove 14 there are recesses provided which provides predetermined set positions for 45 and 90 degrees angles, respectively, when the brake is arranged in these positions.

The device 10 is fully collapsible and then forms a straight smart unit. To enable the arms to be folded together they are provided with two spreaders, a front spreader 22, between the central arm 1 1 and the measurement arms 13, and a rear spreader 23 between the regulation arms 12. The height of the spreader 23 corresponds to the thickness of the two measurement arms 13 when these are arranged on top of each other. The height of the spreader 22 corresponds to the thickness of the lower of the regulation arms 12. All arms are placed above the central arm 1 1 and the measurement arms 13 are placed between the regulation arms 12. According to one embodiment is thus the mutual order of the arms the following: central arm, regulation arm, measurement arm, measurement arm and regulation arm.

The device 10 is arranged to enable both of the measurement arms to be folded outwards on the same side of the longitudinal axle of the central arm or on each side thereof. According to one embodiment the device 10 may be locked in a set square of 45 degrees, and in another embodiment the device 10 may be locked in a set square of 90 degrees measured from the longitudinal axle of the central arm. In one embodiment the device 10 may be locked as a set square with an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees measured from the longitudinal axle of the central arm.

The device 10 is according to one embodiment arranged to enable a fixed or attachment of a detachable protractor (graduated arc) 51 on the measurement arm 13 of the device 10. A reference point on the regulation arm 12, which regulates the same measurement arm 13, functions as a reading position. The protractor 51 is marked with degrees and reading of the angle is performed by the fact that the user can see the number of degrees on the protractor 51 at the reference point on the regulation arm 12.

The device 10 is according to one embodiment arranged with a length scale for linear measurement is arranged on the measurement arms 13. As such the user can easily obtain a desired linear measurement. The device 10 may be arranged so that when it is in a fully collapsible state a hollow space 21 is formed between the upper and lower regulation arms 12 and between joint 17 and the front part of the measurement arms 13. According to one embodiment the tool may be provided with a laser module 71 which is adjusted to be arranged in the hollow space 21 .

The applications for a laser 71 are several and may e.g. be an aid when performing different measurements of greater distances. The laser module 71 is detachable and may according to one embodiment be used as a complementary product to the device 10.

Claims

1 . Device (10) for obtaining a mitre angle, for setting a cutting angle when mitre cutting, comprising:

a lower central arm (1 1 ) and four upper arms (12, 13) which are rotary connected with said lower central arm (1 1 ), wherein the upper arms (12, 13) comprise two measurement arms (13) which are rotary connected in their respective one end to one end of said central arm (1 1 ), and two regulation arms (12) which are rotary connected in their respective one end with a point along the measurement arms (13), and wherein the other respective ends of said regulation arms (12) are connected flexible and slideable with a locking unit (18) which is slideable along a longitudinal axle of said central arm (1 1 ), wherein said measurement arms (13) are positioned above said central arm (1 1 ) and between said regulation arms (12) and wherein the device (10) is fully collapsible and then forms a straight unit,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the locking unit (18) is a spring-loaded friction brake (62), controllable with one hand, which makes the arms (1 1 , 12, 13) being regulated and locked.

2. Device (10) according to claim 1 , wherein both measurement arms (13) are folded outwards on the same side of the longitudinal axle of said central arm (1 1 ).

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said measurement arms (13) are lockable in an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees measured from the longitudinal axle of said central arm (1 1 ).

4. Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a hollow space (21 ) is created between the central arm (1 1 ) and the regulation arms (12) when the device (10) is in a collapsible state. Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said measurement arms (13) in an outwards-folded state may exceed 90 degrees measured from the longitudinal axle of said central arm (1 1 ).

Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a scale for linear measurement is arranged on the measurement arms (13).

Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a scale for measurement of angles is attached on the device (10).

Kit comprising a device (10) according to claim 4 and a laser module (71 ) attachable in said hollow space (21 ).